Memorial Day marks the unofficial begin of summer season and a harmful time of yr for younger drivers.
Nationwide, greater than 30 p.c of deaths involving teen drivers happen throughout what’s referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days” – a interval that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
“Summer season is traditionally a harmful time for teen drivers,” mentioned Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Membership Group. “Now that college is out, teenagers will spend extra time on the highway, usually driving with mates at odd hours of the day and night time. Due to their inexperience, teenagers are extra inclined to harmful driving behaviors – like rushing, driving distracted, and never sporting a security belt. AAA urges dad and mom to mannequin secure driving conduct and reinforce secure driving habits with their teen drivers to assist hold them secure this summer season.”
Site visitors crashes are the main reason for dying for teenagers ages 16 to 19. For each mile pushed, new teen drivers (ages 16 to 17) are thrice extra probably to be concerned in a lethal crash in comparison with adults.
Nationwide Teen Driver Statistics:
- A median of two,108 teenagers are concerned in lethal crashes, yearly.
- 660 (31%) of these happen through the 100 Deadliest Days.
- These crashes end in a mean of two,341 deaths per yr.
- 732 of these fatalities happen through the 100 Deadliest Days.
Florida Teen Driver Statistics:
- On common, 153 teen drivers are concerned in deadly crashes, annually.
- 40 (26%) of these happen through the 100 Deadliest Days.
- These crashes end in a mean of 169 deaths per yr.
- 44 (26%) of these fatalities happen through the 100 Deadliest Days.
Frequent Threat Elements for Teen Drivers
Understanding the dangers and figuring out the details will put together each you and your teen for the highway forward:
- Distracted driving. Distraction performs a job in almost six out of ten teen crashes. Electronics like cell telephones and in-vehicle infotainment methods are thought-about the second-biggest distraction to teen drivers. The most important distractions are teen passengers.
- Driving with teen passengers. Analysis reveals that the danger of a deadly crash will increase in direct relation to the variety of youngsters in a automobile (NHTSA). Having different passengers within the automobile can contribute to look strain and the impulse to have interaction in harmful habits like rushing and aggressive driving.
- Dashing. Dashing is a consider almost 30 p.c of deadly crashes involving teen drivers.
- Not sporting a security belt. Teenagers who buckle up considerably cut back their danger of dying or being significantly injured in a crash.
AAA’s Recommendation for Mother and father
“The one most necessary factor dad and mom can do to assist their teenagers change into secure drivers is to be concerned of their ‘studying to drive’ course of,” mentioned Rachel Wilson, Director of Driver Schooling Packages, AAA – The Auto Membership Group. “Spend time teaching your teen whereas they’re behind the wheel and have a severe dialogue about security. Whereas dad and mom generally is a nice trainer, it additionally helps to hunt out skilled coaching programs, like these supplied by AAA.”
- Lead by instance. Reduce dangerous conduct whenever you drive. Don’t drive aggressively, keep away from distractions, and at all times put on your seatbelt. Your driving abilities and judgement behind the wheel form your little one’s view of secure driving habits, even earlier than they’re sufficiently old to drive. Make secure driving a precedence in your personal life.
- Conduct not less than 50 hours of supervised apply driving. Let your teen drive in quite a lot of circumstances together with inclement climate, busy interstates, and at night time. This can assist them change into a extra assured driver in imperfect conditions.
- Train defensive driving abilities. Assist your teen anticipate potential dangers by continually scanning the highway for hazards. Then share recommendation for how you can safely keep away from them.
- Set up a parent-teen driving settlement which units household guidelines like when the teenager can drive, the place they will go and with who. Then clearly define the results for breaking the foundations and rewards for driving secure.
On-line Driving Course
AAA’s Tips on how to Drive On-line gives a stable basis of the information and abilities crucial to cut back a teen’s danger behind the wheel. This supplemental program is an internet, 25-hour course that options:
- Handy, self-paced supply
- Analysis-based curriculum
- Movies, simulations, and interactive workouts to boost content material retention
- Non-compulsory digital dad or mum session to assist educate dad and mom on the educational to drive course of
Behind the Wheel Driving Programs
The AAA Accredited Driving College Community helps determine the perfect driver coaching assets in your area people.
These faculties have handed AAA’s stringent requirements and supply high quality curriculum in addition to the perfect worth for college students.